Which is better for families with kids between the ages of 11 and 5? I'm meeting a friend with my kids for two nights mid-week. She'll be coming from Baltimore and I'll be coming in from NYC. We want a place where the kids can play endlessly on the beach while we catch up. Perhaps a cute restaurant or theater or icecream place to keep them occupied in the evenings. Which place would you reccomend and what kind of lodging?

Don't know anything about Avalon, but Beach Haven does offer the Surflight Theater which has some children's programming and attached ice cream parlor, along with good beaches, a small amusement park and arcade, and restaurants of all stripes and prices. Two hotels close to the action there are the Sea Shell and the Engleside.

Stone Harbor is right next to Avalon. It has the endless beach feature, and in the evening there is mingolf, taffy and fudge, ice cream, drinks, and strolling on main street, with wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. Also some playgrounds and a wildlife center.

There are a couple small-but-nice motels in the center of town -- most people rent houses.

I think you'll be ok with either. It's been a while since I've been to BH, but I think it's a little less busy than Av., which may or may not be a good thing if you're trying to entertain kids. Mostly up to you.

I don't know Beach Haven but have been to Avalon numerous times. It's very residential and there's not much going on outside the night clubs - it's a big area for 20-somethings to get share houses. Just up the road, Stone Harbor has a lot more for kids...a couple great little ice cream shops, toy stores, candy stores, pizza, etc. all in one small area.

Actually the Avalon hotels are all grouped together and are close to Stone Harbor...but not walking distance.

Thanks for the info. Any hotel/motel reccomendations? We'd love something under $200 a night. Or, something with a kitchenette

There are four motels in Stone Harbor, all within a block or so of one another. The location is good, near the beach and near the main shopping street.

I haven't been inside any, but they don't appear to be much different from one another. I'm sure they would have kitchenettes. Try a web search on Stone Harbor Motel.

Oops, more like 6 hotels in that area, not 4. Some have pools, some don't.